"Those who were fullhirethemselves out for bread,But those who were hungrycease[to hunger]. Eventhe barrengivesbirthto seven,But she who has manychildrenlanguishes.
He makes the barrenwomanabidein the house[As] a joyfulmotherof children.Praisethe LORD!
The younglionsdo lackand sufferhunger;But they who seekthe LORDshall not be in wantof anygoodthing.
The landmourns[and] pinesaway,Lebanonis shamed[and] withers;Sharonis like a desertplain,And Bashanand Carmellose[their foliage].
"Shoutfor joy,O barrenone,you who have borneno[child]; Breakforthinto joyfulshoutingand cryaloud,you who have not travailed;For the sonsof the desolateone [will be] morenumerousThanthe sonsof the marriedwoman," saysthe LORD.
"She who boreseven[sons] pinesaway;Her breathingis labored.Her sunhas setwhile it was yetday;She has beenshamedand humiliated.So I will giveover their survivorsto the swordBeforetheir enemies,"declaresthe LORD.
"HE HAS FILLEDTHE HUNGRYWITH GOOD THINGS;And sent awaythe richempty-handed.
"But Abrahamsaid,'Child,rememberthat duringyour lifeyou receivedyour good things,and likewiseLazarusbad things;but nowhe is being comfortedhere,and you are in agony.
For it is written,"REJOICE,BARREN WOMANWHO DOES NOT BEAR;BREAK FORTHAND SHOUT,YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR;FOR MORE NUMEROUSARE THE CHILDRENOF THE DESOLATETHANOF THE ONE WHO HASA HUSBAND."
"May he also be to you a restorerof lifeand a sustainerof your oldage;for your daughter-in-law,wholovesyou and is betterto you thansevensons,has givenbirthto him."
It cameabout in duetime,after Hannahhad conceived,that she gavebirthto a son;and she namedhim Samuel,[saying], "BecauseI have askedhim of the LORD."
Her rival,however, would provokeher bitterlyto irritateher, becausethe LORDhad closedher womb.
